Russia, Ukraine, EU Hold Gas Talks

BRUSSELS -- Representatives of Russia, Ukraine, and the European Union have held talks in Brussels on gas supplies.

The Russian and Ukrainian energy ministers, Aleksandr Novak and Volodymyr Demshishin, met on March 20 together with Energy Union Commissioner Maros Sefcovic to discuss a possible new agreement on Russian gas supplies to Ukraine.

The "winter package" deal, signed by Russia, Ukraine, and the EU in October 2014, expires at the end of March.

Demshishin said Kyiv and Moscow decided to work on a draft deal ready for signature at their next meeting in mid-April.

He also said Kyiv sees no need to buy Russian gas next month.

Novak said Moscow would consider a discount for gas supplies to Ukraine in the second quarter.

The European Commission said it would “consider to undertake its best efforts to help Ukraine finding the adequate financial support to purchase gas” as the country needs to fill its gas storages with up to 20 billion cubic meter during the summer months.